Rick Spielman had his choice of coaches, and types of coaches, when he began his search after firing Leslie Frazier.

He chose Mike Zimmer, a longtime defensive coordinator with a knack for getting players to achieve their potential.

This is why the Vikings' signing of Everson Griffen should not surprise anyone. Griffen is a talented player who has not fulfilled his potential. You can imagine Spielman, while doing his due diligence and interviewing Zimmer, having an ``Aha" moment.

In that moment, Spielman envisioned Griffen becoming a dangerous every-down pass rusher, and easing the loss of Jared Allen. That is probably the moment Spielman decided to hire Zimmer.

Zimmer hasn't had a chance to make many decisions that will shape his tenure as Vikings head caoch. Two he has made stand out:

1. He encouraged Spielman to spend big money on Griffen.

2. He handed his offense to Norv Turner.

Zimmer's reputation will eventually be formed by his game management skills and his - and Spielman's - ability to find and develop the right quarterback.

So far, we can give him kudos for hiring Turner, and acknowledge that he was brought here to wring improvement from players like Griffen.

-----------

I'll be on WJON in St. Cloud at 7:15 a.m. all week,and on @1500ESPN at 12:15 or so. I'll have a column on the Gopher basketball finale in the Monday paper. You can follow me on Twitter at @Souhanstrib.